Folding and lasting machine



July 27, 1948- c. CHRIY'S'TIANSEN 2,446,043 A FOLDING AND LA STING MACHINE Filed Oct. .12, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a I 65 fill I II as 'm 26 2f a c a 6 INVQZN'I'EIRILN y 27, 19413- c. CHRISTIANSEN 2,446,043 I FOLDING AND LASTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1946 a Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVEN-I-UR: c at; ZM, x, ewa wxzr y 1948- c. CHRISTIANSEN 2,446,043

FOLDING AND LASTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1946 :5 sheets-511m s Patented July 27, 1948 FOLDING AND LASTIN G MACHINE Christian Christiansen, Swampscott, Mass, as-

signor to Rotary Machine Company, Inc., Lynn, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 12, 1946, Serial No. 702,925

11 Claims. (01. 12-7) My present invention relates to a machine for fol-ding and securing the binding on an insole or for lasting an upper to an insole. Although the machine is shown herein operating on a simple plain insole, it operates equally well on the California type insole and performs the function of lasting an upper to an insole where the upper is to be cemented in place.

The ordinary insole is provided with a binding strip or galloon which is stitched to one side and carries an adhesive on the unsecured edge. The free edge has to be folded about the edge of the insole, stretched into position on the opposite flat surface, and cemented in place. The folding and pressing operation may be performed by Inachines of the type described in my Patent No. 2,700,074, issued May 14, 1946. The machine of the present invention can, in addition, perform lastingof the character described above.

The difiiculty with folding machines generally has been that, in order to stretch the material tightly and fold it accurately, they employ complicated feeding and pressing mechanisms which prevent their use for lasting and also obscure the work to such an extent that errors either cannot be discovered or, if discovered, cannot be corrected before the end of a folding operation or cycle. Such machines do not permit frequent stopping and positioning. If something goes wrong, the machines continue tofinish the operation, and the defective product must be ripped up and done over, or else discarded. Lasting machines, on the other hand, are not adapted for folding because they lack the ability to hold and stretch the material properly, as folding machines do.

A principal object of the invention is to make it possible to fold and secure bindings and last uppers of the character described on a single machine. Further objects are to last cemented uppers without loss of control over the work; to ensure uniform stretching and folding of the portions to be secured to the insole; to provide ready access to the work so that mistakesif any, can easily be observed and immediately corrected,

and to render the machine less complicated and expensive.

In attaining these objects, I have devised a new and greatly simplified type of folding-lasting machine in which the progress of the operation can easily be viewed, and whichpermits mistakes to .be corrected immediately because the operation may be stopped at any time. An improved form of stretching and folding mechanism practically ensures accuracy of fold. and evenness in stretch- 2 1 ing and pressing. I have also made it possible to feed the work by hand, eliminating all feeding devices without loss of accuracy. To do this I employ a heated holding and guiding finger with a somewhat spatula-shaped hook that cooperates with a folding and pressing roll having a periph eral portion which cooperates with the finger in guiding, stretching, and folding the material.

These elements constitute the sole operative means acting on the work. The finger is in yield ing engagement with the work, providing a consupported by stant pressure directed against work the roll throughout the operation. i

The nature and objects of the invention willbest be understood by reference to the following description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a viewin front elevation of a machine embodying the invention shown in operation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of saidmachine also illustrating the operation. p

Fig. 3 is a side elevation as viewed from the left of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and5 aresections taken-respectively on the lines 4-4 and 55 of Fig. 2, and illustrating Fig. 9 is a detail view showing a modification of a part of the invention.

In the drawings, a machine frame I on a base plate 2 has a support 3 on-which a motor 4is secured as by bolts 5. The drive shaft 6 of the motor supplies power to asystemof gears I (Fig.

2) which turn a shaft 8 passing through and journalled in a sleeve 9 held inthebra'cket ill on the frame. The forward endof the shaftB carries a folding wheel II, which is described more fully later. i

A boss I! on the bed plate 2 carries a post 13 J which is prevented from turning by-a bolt 14 extending through a bore 15in the boss. Post l3 carries an arm It held at an angle as shownin Fig. 1. Arm [6 is provided with a boltl'l which holds a rolleror rotatable disc 18. A split ring," l9 (Fig. 3) is clampedto sleeve 9 and. carries" a post '20 to which a horizontal arm]! is fasj-f tened. The outerend ofarm 2| is clamped-to averticalsleeve or tube 22 through which passes a rod 23. The lower end of rod 23is provided with a clamping head 24 whichholdsthe' shank portion 25 of a finger 26 The forward end of on the line e -s of end of the this finger has a generally spatulate hooked end 21; the rearward end is provided with a connection 28 (Fig. 2) adapted to pass electric current from an extension cord plug 29 to a heating element 30 within the shank of the finger. On the upper end of sleeve 22 is clamped an arm 31 carrying a pin 32 (Fig. 2). A handle 33 clamped to the upper endJoh rod 23 has aprojection 3 secured thereto by-a bolt '35. An expansion type spring 36 has one end secured to bolt 35 and the other end held under adjustable tension to pin 32. Projection 34 has a, set screw- 31- held-inad j-usted position by a lock nut 38. The set screw,

under the urge of spring 36; normally post 20. 4

Finger 26 is held so that its hook shaped spatulate end is normally positioned-adjacent; therlllll'.

of folding wheel I I at a point just above roll it.

bears, .on

. offiexcess cement that has been deposited on it The spacing between the finger and the rim of the wheel is determined by the setting of set screw 3;! apcolding, to, theythicknessyof material he o; apassed; between the: end of the fineenndJ-he f ldin wheel.- The sprin 36, W 1 h--. rae.s tth ie d i t-the; se screw t ward tllfiippstizfl also causes ;theend;of1 the finger to press-the material ofthe worktoward andagaihst the rim of the wheel,

The-peripheryof:Wheel. It! hasabeveled portion-; adapted to .cooperatewiththe flattened and curved inner; surface .40; (Figshe and 6) of the:hookrshapedtfinger26min holdingand folding the materiah Behind. this beveled portion, the wheel is provided .with;.means for-stretching the material; and ,continuing;; the folding operation. The-preferred construction isshown in detail'in Fig .;7,- where.the periphery of thewheelis shown with grooves 41 and ridges 42 formed .likescrew threads, (Fig. '7).,- .having; sufficient angularity to the face the Wheel. to draw. the material and stretch ,it :as-ihisfoldedoverthe-tip of the finger. As shown in Fig. 7, these threadehave-alefthandpitcm i. e. proceed from the-front tothe back of the wheel with a leftward progression; An angle. of. 3 has been .used. satisfactorily. The beveled :part 39;1will gives good. results if formed at an angle 35 to 403-. Ann-operable but somewhatdess desirable modified form of folding wheel is shown in Fig. 9, in which the rear part; 43:." of. the;- periphery. issmooth but= beveled inmiichsthegsame, manner, as. the face portion M1, and an intermediate surface fltwith a-lsharp rise or,greate r bevel connects the front and rear portions. This rise will serve:-in ,..the folding operation.,and .also .tendzto. draw-.on the. material .and

stretch, ,it,. but. will ,not do so; as efliciently; as will theepreferred form, v

Imoperation; the motor his. started and .turns the fol-ding wheel-H clockwise as viewed in Fig 1.

Electric. currentisysupplied -toresistance unit 38 which heatsgthe finger. An. insole A is held withthesurfaceto be. cementeduppermost. The

insole A has a tape B stitched to one surface. ofthe insole:r and-this tap ethas cement jalongythe surface .(Fig 2).;that. is. .towbe cemented tothe. insole... The operator turns the handle 33 counterofthe.insolerestsagainst therol1-|8. The upper surface ,D. of, the insole rests. against the. heelof the hOokfidfingfi-rgand the. free margin. or flap of the ftapeis .passedHabout the. tip.,.of. the. finger.

Thegfinger then'extends asfar as, possible between theielfimentsto be cemented. Theinner .cement-. coveredsurfa eoL-the flap isheated'by the. hot.

inprevious operations. This dried cement provides friction which facilitates gripping and pulling on; thepmaterial. The fact that the tape is slippery on the side to be cemented while friction isincreased on the side that is being pulled and .foldedby the wheel makes it very easy for the operator to push the insole forward throughoutthe' sealing operation.

The beveled edge of the wheel starts the tape turningabout the tip of the finger (see Fig: 4).

Theridged portion of the rotating wheel. grasps.

the material and. stretches it (Fig. 6), the slantingthreads exerting acontinuous pull until the tape is folded past the end of the finger andpressed or. ironed against the surface of 'the.

insole. If the modified form of wheel shown:in

Fig. 9 is used, the folding takes placein much the;

same .way, though requiring more :care and attention by the operator.

Throughout the operation the roll 58 serves as av guide and support for the edge of the insole.

Provided the operatorpushes the insole through.

its proper course, the device of the/invention .pulls the tape tightly abouttheedge of the. in-

sole; heats the cemented tape, stretches itback.

over-v the surface of' the insole andironspit in;

seal.

bediscontinued. When the device of 1' the in; vention'is used, it is always'possible'for .the'operator to;see exactly what is happening, .toinspect the-work atwill, and; tostop or startiwheniher: wishes. Andwhen lasting'is done, thetinvention;

makesit possible to have constant'control; elima inating the disadvantages of intermittent hold-:-

ing and releasing of the work by'the mechanical:

elements. The work is constantly under."con-.

trolled pressure, without 1 the. interference of :feed mechanism which obscures the workand makes supervision diificult.

I claim:

1. A folding and lasting machine having; in combination, a rotatable folding wheehmeansfor rotating the wheel, and heated means adapted to" bear with constant pressure against-work held between itandthe folding wheel duringan oper-' ating. cycle.

2. A folding and lasting machine liaving;in

combination, a rotatable folding wheel, means-fort rotating the-wheel, heated means adapted. to bear. with resilient pressure against work held between: it-and the folding wheel, and manually operated means for releasing the pressure at any timerd'uringthe. operation.

beveledperiphery of thefolding wheel-.=

4: A folding and. lasting 1 machinehaving inccombination, a rotatable folding wheel, means for rotating the wheel, and heated means adapted to bear with resilient pressure against work held between it and the folding wheel, said heated means having a curved spatulate finger adapted to pass between two layers of materials being secured and press one of them tightly with constant pressure throughout a cycle of operation against the folding wheel.

5. A folding and lasting mechanism having, in combination, a rotatable folding and pressing Wheel, means for rotating the wheel, and a heated finger adapted to bear with constant resilient pressure throughout a complete cycle of operation against work held between it and said wheel, said wheel having a beveled peripheral portion adapted to cooperate with the heated finger in holding the work and a raised stretching and folding portion provided with gripping means adapted to bend the work around the end of the finger.

6. A folding and lasting machine having, in combination, a rotatable folding wheel having a beveled peripheral portion, means for rotating the Wheel, a heated finger having a flattened surfac adapted to bear with constant resilient pressure during a lasting operation against work held between it and the beveled part of the wheel, and a peripheral surface on said wheel having ridges disposed at an angle to the direction of movement of the wheel adapted to bend one pressed layer of the work around the end of the finger with a stretching action as the Work is moved and to secure said layer to a second layer of the work as it is passed beyond the finger.

7. In a folding and lasting machine, in combination, a curved spatulate finger adapted to penetrate between two surfaces of material to be cemented, a folding wheel having on its periphery a series of ridges disposed at an angle to the direction of rotation of said wheel, and means for holding said finger with constant pressure against said wheel.

8. In a folding and lasting machine, in combination, a heated finger adapted to pass between two layers of material to be cemented, and a folding wheel adapted to cooperate with said finger in folding one of said layers and securing it to the other, said wheel having two beveled surfaces on its periphery, one of which has a greater degree of angularity than the other.

9. A folding and lasting machine having, in combination, a rotatable folding wheel, means for rotating th wheel, a heated finger adapted to bear with constant pressure against the tape of an insole or the like held between it and the folding wheel during a cycle of operation, a fiattened curved surface on said finger adapted to bend said tape over the peripheryof said wheel, and means on said wheel for grasping and stretching said tape and folding it on a surface of said insole.

10. A folding and lasting machine having, in combination, a rotatable folding wheel, means for rotating the wheel, heated means adapted to bear with constant pressure against work held between it and the folding wheel during an operating cycle, and a supporting wheel adapted to receive the edge of the Work and to guide the same during said operating cycle.

11. A folding and lasting machine having, in combination, a rotatable folding wheel, means for rotating the wheel, heated means adapted to bear with constant pressure against work held between it and the folding wheel during an operating cycle, and a freely rotatable wheel adapted.

to support and guide the edge of the work during said cycle.

CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,356,540 McFeely Oct. 26, 1920 2,400,074 Christiansen May 14, 1946 

